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DWTS: A night of personal stories and great dancing

Our "Dancing with the Stars" expert Lenni G recaps a night of fabulous performances:

I got what I wanted - an incredible night of dancing from all four couples and some amazing life stories for each of the stars. Everybody did two dances - one ballroom, one Latin - and everybody was just plain fabulous.

William and Cheryl (right) started with a tango that really got the evening off right. Of course, Len wanted more "holds" but thought it was terrific overall.  Bruno called William the "master of the house" and the "dictator of the tango." Carrie Ann affirmed that William is "more than just a pretty face." I would have added that the area below his face is pretty pretty too. This is one good looking, great dancing couple. Judges' scores - 9's from Carrie Ann and Len, 10 from Bruno for a total of 28.

DWTS: Half-Pint out in double elimination show

Lenni G fills us in on last night's double elimination episode of "Dancing with the Stars":

It was double elimination night and there were a few scary and nervous moments for everyone. Top scary moment - Judge Len in nothing but a Speedo. Really, a Speedo! Top nervous moment - Katherine and Mark in jeopardy.

We also had fun moments, including Dance Center with Kenny Mayne, Jerry Rice and the Speedo Guy. And, we got to see a "Stars of the Dance" tribute to Dick Clark. Loved it that the show invited quite a few of the original Bandstand kids to view the tribute in person. And, and, the judges chose the trio jive routine from Karina, Donald and Peta as the encore dance. Terrific choice judges! On to the results...

'Dancing with the Stars': A busy night on the dance floor

Our "Dancing with the Stars" correspondent Lenni G has a report from last night's eventful show.

Last night was BUSY!  Each couple danced as a pair, and then each couple danced as part of a trio, with the third member being either a previously eliminated Pro or member of the DWTS Troupe.  

Starting off the evening, Donald and Peta did a great tango.  Len called it a "1st round knockout," saying it set a very high standard for the rest of the couples.  Bruno loved Donald's aggression and power. Carrie Ann pointed out the dynamic shapes but wanted more drama, which she got when Donald walked over and gave her a big kiss. Judges' scores - 9's from all three for a total of 27. After the comments they made, the judges needed to pull out the "10" paddles. Huge mistake, judging people.  In the trio round, Karina joined Donald and Peta for a fan - freaking - tastic jive.

DWTS: A night of classic highs and lows

Guest Correspondent Lenni G. gives us the the high and low lights:
 
It's Classical Night, as in classical music with classical singers and, hopefully, classical dancing.  We also have a team competition at the end, pitting Team Tango against Team Paso.  
 
BEST WAY TO START THE NIGHT: Classical singer, Katherine, and partner Mark, with a rumba.  Len called it a "classic rumba" and thought it was elegant throughout.  Yes and yes. Bruno told Katherine she was "the entertainable object of desire," but wanted more raunch. Really?  Carrie Ann told Katherine her "technicality is unmatched" in the competition but felt that her passion was not genuine as in, there should have been more heat.  I say Katherine is a Grace Kelly clone and, at least for this dance, smoldering, which she did, was more called for than raunch and heat.  Judges' scores - 9's from all three for a total of 27 (plus 27 in the team dance) for a grand total of 54.

DWTS results: The midnight train pulls out of the station

Our special correspondent Lennie G updates: After the usual entertainment, which included Boyz II Men as well as a terrific contemporary group dance choreographed by the incredible Travis Wall, we moved on to the results of Monday's competition.  Of the eight couples still in contention, half were declared safe and half were in jeopardy.  The bottom four were: Maria and Derek, Melissa and Maks, Roshon and Chelsie, and Gladys and Tristan

As you can probably guess, Maria and Derek and Melissa and Maks were then sent to safety, leaving Roshon and Chelsie and Gladys and Tristan in the dreaded Dance Duel.  Props to the DWTS production people for using a split screen so we could actually see the couples dancing the jive.  Carrie Ann said she had respect for both Roshon and Chelsie.  Len felt they both handled the pressure well.  Bruno called Gladys a unique and special lady and told Roshon his timing was immaculate.  
 
In the end, Carrie Ann voted for Gladys, Len and Bruno voted for Roshon, and Gladys got her ticket for the Bye Bye Train to Georgia.
 
I am so going to miss this lady who is the absolute epitome of class and grace.  May the Empress of Soul reign forever. 

DWTS: Cruisin' through Motown Night

Our "Dancing with the Stars" correspondent Lenni G gives us the scoop on last night's Motown-themed show.

It's Motown night and we have Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and Martha Reeves singing their hit songs for the dancers. We also have a group called Human Nature who will be touring the US doing Motown songs. Um, still trying to figure out why a group doing Motown covers is called Human Nature. But I digress.

Great start to the night with The Temptations singing  "My Girl" for the rumba from Gladys and Tristan. Len said that if he was voting with his heart, Gladys would be at the top of the leader board. Yep, she would be. Bruno loved her star quality but wanted more "steaminess." Bruno loves "steaminess." Carrie Ann told Gladys that the night belonged to her and that she would pay money to see this dance again. Me too. Judges' scores - 7's from all three for a total of 21.  

What to Watch on Monday: Scotty McCreery guest stars on 'Hart of Dixie'

Hart of Dixie (9pm, CW) - Scotty McCreery makes an appearance on tonight's episode, but there's no acting involved -- he'll be playing himself. The "American Idol" winner from Garner will perform his hit "The Trouble With Girls" during a romantic scene in a bar featuring Zoe (Rachel Bilson) and George (Scott Porter). Raleigh's Tift Merritt had a similar gig on "Hart of Dixie" back in February. Tift sang "Sweet Spot" at the town's annual Valentine's dance. Click below to see another picture of Scotty from the "Hart of Dixie" set.

Bones (8pm, Fox) - Booth's son Parker comes home from England, and Brennan wonders how he'll react to his new baby sister. Meanwhile, the discovery of a truck-company employee's corpse in the woods prompts a visit to the victim's son's karate class.

American Pickers (9pm, History) - Mike searches for the legendary XAVW motorbike in North Carolina, and Frank gambles on a collection of Indian artifacts. Also in this episode, architectural salvage and a military artifact.

20/20: Dance Floor Confidential (10pm, ABC) - ABC squeezes another hour of programming from their "Dances with the Stars" franchise by having 20/20 go "behind the scenes."

Smash (10pm, NBC) - Karen finds Rebecca's charmed life very enticing, but Derek finds Rebecca to be exasperating. Meanwhile, Eileen has her ex-husband meet her hunky new boyfriend, and Julia's son goes missing (First thought: "Hooray!" Second thought: "I hope Ellis is with him!"). 

DWTS: Season's first Dance Duel is a mess

"Dancing with the Stars" blogger Lenni G has the latest on last night's Dance Duel and elimination.

Last night's entertainment included Train, accompanied by a terrific Cheryl and Louis routine, Sheila E. with her drums, etc., and Selena Gomez with the Scene but no Justin Bieber.  

Judges chose Maria and Derek's salsa for the encore dance which expanded a bit on the first performance. Derek still lost his shirt but planted the big kiss on Carrie Ann, not Maria. Maria, not to be ignored, planted a big one on Bruno. Oh my, a four-way!  Let's move quickly to the results...

DWTS: Latin dances set stage for tonight's elimination duel

Our "Dancing with the Stars" correspondent Lenni G on last night's sultry Latin dances:

I got my wish people. Last night's Latin dances were all accompanied by Latin music! And, we had the incredible Carlos Santana on stage the whole two hours doing his Latin thing. Well done DWTS folks!

Jaleel and Kym began the evening with a samba. Len loved Jaleel's rhythm and also told him he had his "bum going like he was chewing toffee." Now there's a picture. Bruno loved the "wiggle" as well, adding that it appeared Jaleel had a Mimi Me inside operating it. Carrie Ann loved his attack and fire. Nothing like a good "bum" to get the party started. Judges' scores - 8's from all three for a total of 24.

Melissa Gilbert (pictured here with Maks) made a brave return to the dance floor after suffering a mild concussion and whiplash last week. Her salsa with Maks seemed a little tentative, though I have to give her props for coming back. Bruno told her she always goes to the "max" but that she needs more control. Carrie Ann complimented her on gaining confidence over the season but also mentioned her lack of control. Bruno liked her rhythm and feel for the dance. Judges' scores - 7's from all three for a total of 21.

DWTS: A KISS-off instead of a dance-off

Lenni G reports on last night's elimination show, which surprisingly, lacked the promised "dance-off":

KISS was back to help "Kiss somebody goodbye." So clever.  Not so clever: Melissa Gilbert's concussion which had her missing the show after her doctors ordered her to take a rest day. This does not sound good people. Maks admitted that he had hurt his arm but felt it took away from the pain in his ankles, knees and shoulders. This does not sound good either. By the way, huge props to Gavin who picked the injured Melissa up and carried her down the stairs to the medics.  

We had our first encore dance of the season and it was Donald and Peta with their fantastic paso doble. Loved Tom Bergeron's comment that, "You just watched two people with a grand total of 3% body fat." True, absolutely true. On to the results...

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